FROM JOEL SHERMAN

Johan Santana has pitched well, but not great — certainly not to the degree anticipated when he was obtained by the Mets. And certainly not what was expected when the Mets gave him a pitching record seven-year, $137.5 million contract. I believe if Santana does not assemble a powerful stretch run that this performance — teamed with the disaster that is the seven-year, $126 million pact for Barry Zito — is going to strongly curtail the market for C.C. Sabathia in the offseason. Sabathia is currently lined up as the top starter heading toward free agency. Sabathia has turned back to a Cy Young form after a dismal opening to his season. Nevertheless, the memories of that early-season trouble, the heavy workload he has endured since his early twenties with the Indians and — especially — the bulk on his 6-foot-7 frame is going to be a scary proposition.

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